I've been thinking long and hard about this one
Well, I've slept on it. Religion is a subject quite close to me, but it is fair to say Christianity and I have a somewhat complicated relationship. My Mum is religious, but not so bad to try and convert me all the time. And she is accepting of other religions, which as Christians go is something of a miracle in and of itself. That and she also tolerates those of a different sexual orientation. Live and let live, she says.

But, to myself, as these stories often ramble. I don't have a problem with religion myself. I can see the benefits that it brings, such as community outreach projects to the local teenage population who have nothing else to do, or nowhere else to go. I have to wonder if that thing is something of a lifesaver for some. But for others, well we're all aware of what the various problems are.

But, like I said, it's a complicated relationship. Sometimes, I'm planning to go and have a little fun with the people who run the Alpha Course. Others, I'm happily running the sound desk in the church round the corner.

Other times, I'm happily reading Dawkins. An extrememely intelligent man, by all accounts. Sometimes he makes me laugh, and sometimes, well. He just comes across as rather offensive. But I think that's another debate for another time. Although perhaps the title of "Darwin's Pitbull" isn't altogether undeserved.

However, when it comes to people like Fred Phelps, I'm glad I'm not on the same continent as idiots like him. Although he was justifiably banned from coming to England, I would have loved to meet him in person and have a few choice words with him. Maybe even see if TRL's fundie-flummoxing guide works.

I really want to believe in God- really, I do. But I'm not convinced that Christianity is the only path to wisdom. Nor am I convinced that any religion deserves that title. And there are all idiots in any quarter who seem to have forgotten that little idea of live and let live. Jesus and a lot of other religious figures had the right idea. It's just a crying shame that the message appears to have become garbled.
( jim_bob can herd cats., Fri 20 Mar 2009, 9:20, 1 reply)

...
I used to attend an Alpha course, went to three altogether.

The first time I was placed into the group with the head of the church, which was composed of him, me, 3 christians, 2 agnostics (including me) and one atheist, who wanted to learn. Over the time we were there, we had brilliant discussions, often over running by up to an hour. My major problem with this set up was twofold. 1) I was the youngest by 20 years. 2) The head honcho refused several points of mine, for what I viewed as petty reasons.

So the next time I asked if I could go with the youth. I'd be the oldest bar the person running it, but they'd be closer to my age, only 2 or 3 years younger.

In there I really got to know the guy running it much better, and it helped to really open my eyes to the fact that while this was a charismatic church, they weren't all completely brainwashed.

My main problem was always to do with faith healing, due to my Mum. (see here for explanation)
The adult group's explanation was that "If you are sick and you pray, then you might be healed. If you aren't healed, it's not because you didn't pray hard enough, it's because God has a different plan"
I explained this to the youth leader, and he came out with a sentence that stuck with me for the last 2 years - "Bollucks to that, what a load of shite".

Understandably, a bit of a shock.

One day, me and him ended up going to the pub, and spent about 7 hours talking, arguing, discussing and debating through much of christianity. It was brilliant to not just run into a brick wall while discussing, he happily admitted that parts of the bible were outdated, and that things have been taken out of context.

Sorry, have rambled off topic here. To all who can be arsed getting through this essay, if you're interested, have questions, or just want to learn a little, go to an Alpha course, you can have a great argument!

EDIT: Fuck it, i'll post this on it's own.
( Agnostic Antichrist Baltimora, Fri 20 Mar 2009, 12:39, closed)